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Leisure Lakes Bikes Circuit Series

Story posted July 6, 2010; thanks to James Griffin (Velo Club Montpellier)

Jacob Tipper Back To Winning Ways
The penultimate round of the Leisure Lakes Bikes Circuit Series took place last Friday evening at Cheltenham racecourse. It promised to be a thrilling event, with the youth racing wetting the crowd’s appetite before the start of the main race.   

Another strong field of over 35 riders took to the start line for the third race of the series. Round one winner Jacob Tipper (Halesowen) took to the start line with the aim of going one better having taken second place a week before. Second round winner, Steven Allen (Kenilworth), was also eager to repeat his strong and powerful performance on what promised to be an entertaining evening of racing.

L-R: Scott Law, Crispin Doyle, Jacob Tipper, Steven Allen, Callum Lister.

The fast and furious circuit race was held over its usual format of 45 minutes racing plus 5 laps. Some local riders, such as, Cheltenham and County’s Julian Franklin, Velo Club Montpellier’s Richard Cook and Gloucester City’s John Barnes had also entered the race. 

After the traditional neutralised lap at the start, the race began swiftly with the three top favourites of Tipper, Crispin Doyle and Allen all working hard at the head of the race. However, in the early stages it appeared that most were able hold the pace and were able to keep up with the jostling at the front of the peloton. The first sprint prime of the evening quickly arrived and this forced a huge surge at the front as riders sprinted hard to take the cash prize. The three strongest riders of Tipper, Doyle and Allen, took advantage and were able to escape the speeding peloton at the top of the steep climb.

As the gap grew for the breakaway, the strong trio started to realise that they had created the race winning move. The peloton behind were however still being pulled along by the likes of Dan Bill (Cult Racing), Callum Lister (Corinium CC) and Scott Law (Evesham Wheelers). Law and Lister were even able to pull away from the main peloton in the later stages of the race.

Velo Club Montpellier's Richy Cook in action (Photo Glenn Watts)

In the final sprint, the three leaders sped effortlessly up the steep finish straight. Tipper and Allen were first to hit the front, while Doyle felt the pace and sat up. Tipper’s jump enabled him to take an early advantage in the sprint and he was able to power to his second win of the series. Allen took a well earned second place whilst Doyle took third. The first Cheltenham rider home was Julian Franklin of Cheltenham and County CC.

In a fast and competitive women’s race, first round winner Naomi Anderson (Team Zappi’s) took a fine first place. The final round of the Leisure Lakes Bikes Circuit Series at Cheltenham racecourse will be this Friday, 9th July, with racing starting at 7pm. A BBQ and music will be provided and spectating at the event is free. All are welcome for a great evening of live sporting action.

Results

Main senior race 2.3.4.J (45 minutes plus 5 laps)
1. Jacob Tipper (Halesowen A & CC)
2. Steven Allen  (Kenilworth Wheelers)
3. Crispin Doyle  (Swindon RC)
4. Callum Lister (Corinium CC)
5. Scott Law (Evesham Wheelers)
6. Rob Edgell (Somer Valley CC)
7. Dan Bill (Cult Racing)
8. Joe Page  (Team Echelon / Spuik)
9. Dan Smith (GWR Team)
10. Julian Frankland (Cheltenham and County CC)
11. Vince Page (Team Echelon / Spuik)
12. Matt Conner (Newbury RC)
13. Neil Biggs (Velo Club Montpellier)
14. Neil Reeder (GWR Team)

Women’s race winner: Naomi Anderson (Team Zappi's)

Youth results:

Under 10 Girls
1. Pfeiffer Georgi (Mid Devon CC)

Under 10 Boys
1. Lance Hutchison (VC St Raphael)
2. Harrison Smith (Cheltenham and County CC)
3. Lewis Kavanagh (Cheltenham and County CC)

Under 12 Boys
1. Etienne Georgi (Mid Devon CC)
2. Thomas Milward (Stratford CC)
3. Jamie Wolstencroft (Stratford CC)

Under 14 Girls
1. Katie Metalli (BCDS)

Under 14 Boys
1. Thomas Lane (Stratford CC)
2. Rory McMeekan (Stratford CC)
3. Ashley Hutchison (VC St Raphael)
4. Jack Mattock (Cheltenham and County CC)
5. Preslav Dimitrov (Stratford CC)

Under 16 Boys
1. Matt Godden (Gloucester City CC)
2. Jack Reed (Chippenham Wheelers)
3. Johannes Selz (RSV Ebringen)
4. Sean Townsend (Gloucester City CC)
5. Luke Davies  (Chippenham Wheelers)